Who painted Still Life with Apples?

Still Life with Apples was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1896.

Where can I see Still Life with Apples?

Still Life with Apples is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Still Life with Apples?

Still Life with Apples is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Still Life with Apples?

Museum-quality prints of Still Life with Apples are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Still Life with Apples

Paul Cezanne , 1896

Still Life with Apples is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. Created in 1896, this oil painting by Paul Cézanne presents a modest still‑life arrangement.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1896, this oil painting by Paul Cézanne presents a modest still‑life arrangement. A white plate holds three red apples, a green pear and two yellow lemons, accompanied by a small metal pitcher with a sprig of foliage. The composition rests against a plain, pale wall and a dark tabletop edge, emphasizing the objects themselves.

Subject & Meaning

The work continues Cézanne’s systematic investigation of everyday objects, using fruit to explore spatial relationships and volume. By juxtaposing the varied shapes and colors of the apples, pear, lemons and pitcher, the artist invites viewers to consider how simple forms can generate a sense of depth and balance within a confined space.

Technique & Style

Cézanne employs a pronounced impasto, applying thick, textured brushstrokes that make the surface visibly tactile. The paint builds up to model the fruit with subtle shadows, granting them a three‑dimensional presence. This handling of form reflects his transitional position between Impressionist color sensibility and the emerging structural concerns of early Cubism.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader effort to represent pivotal figures of the Post‑Impressionist period.

Context

Cézanne’s still‑life series of the 1890s marks a period of intense focus on the geometry of objects and the interplay of planes. This piece exemplifies his method of reducing natural forms to basic shapes, a practice that would later influence artists such as Picasso and Braque in the development of Cubism.